Has The Ottawa Senators’ Prospect Pool Become Depleted?

Ottawa has been a team of somewhat rebuild for the last few seasons. Around 2010, Ottawa saw vets traded for futures as Bryan Murray declared a rebuild. The “rebuild” hasn’t been a normal one as Ottawa hasn’t seen the lack of success that most “rebuilding” teams see.

Ottawa has made the playoffs twice in those 4 seasons, and has seen a large turnaround in prospects. Most notably players like Robin Lehner, Jared Cowen, Cody Ceci, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, and Mark Borowiecki have been recent draft picks (2008 – ) that have become full time players for the Senators.

Ottawa has been a fantastic drafting team and in being a budget team, Murray understands the importance of drafting and scouting to produce NHL talent.

With the turnover in the past few seasons being of great impact, one might consider Ottawa’s pool to be depleted.

Oct 25, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes a toe save on a shot from the New Jersey Devils. The Devils defeated the Senators 3-2 in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Hockey’s Future prospect rankings came out yesterday, and had ranked Ottawa at 23rd overall. The ranking is a low for Ottawa, who in previous years was ranked as high as 2nd overall in spring 12-13.

In Hockey’s Future’s 12-13 Spring rankings Ottawa was ranked a league 2nd best when Robin Lehner, Jakob Silfverberg, Mika Zibanejad, Cory Conacher and Stefan Noesen were among Ottawa’s top 5.

Today, Ottawa’s is 21 positions below their 2012-13 ranking and their top 5 consists of Curtis Lazar, Mark Stone, Matt Puempel, Chris Driedger, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Ottawa’s developing has led to many becoming successful NHL players. Since their #2 ranking we’ve seen Mika Zibanejad, Robin Lehner, Jakob Silfverberg [traded], Cody Ceci and others become full time NHL players.

The drop off can certainly be contributed to Ottawa’s lack of a 2013 2nd rounder, and 2014 1st rounder, as well as the previously mentioned prospect turnaround.

Hockey’s Future summarizes Ottawa as being a team unlike most as they have seen an a turnover very rare in the NHL. Ottawa is lacking on D, and has no elite or top end talent in their prospect pool.

They source Ottawa’s forwards as having good potential with Tobias Lindberg, Matt Puempel, Shane Prince, and Alex Guptill leading the pack.

The NHL is heading into a deep drafting year as 2015 promises to include elite and depth talent. Currently, Ottawa is in a playoff spot but it is yet to be seen where they will end up. As Ottawa still holds their 1st round pick an has 3 picks inside the top 60, it’s sure to be a good year to add some depth to the Senators prospect pool.